Huge waves and furious winds in excess of 25 knots have battered, bashed and bruised the Volvo Ocean Race fleet as it voyages upwind through the South China Sea towards the Pacific Ocean.

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– Skipper Ian Walker ready for a wind of change on the way to Auckland

After a rather tranquil opening three legs to the ocean racing epic, the first 48 hours of leg four have certainly provided a contrast, pushing the sailors to their limits and beyond.

“No one has caught a good sleep for 48 hours,” said Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing on-board reporter Matt Knighton. “With each wave we slam into, anyone asleep slides five inches forwards until their head falls off the pillow.”

At the latest positions report around 23:00 last night, ADOR lay second with leaders Dongfeng in sight, just 0.8 nautical miles ahead.

The race’s red-hot team right now are continuing right where they left off from leg three.

The boats are currently arrowing their way toward the top of the Philippines, from where they have the first big decision of the leg to make: tack north, towards Taiwan, or sail a more direct, diagonal route down towards the Solomon Islands.

There are pros and cons to both strategies. The former means more miles, but potentially more wind and therefore speed, while any navigator choosing the shorter option risks getting caught in light airs.

Dongfeng and Abu Dhabi sit some 6nm ahead of third-placed Mapfre, with Team Alvimedica right on their heels. There was more of a gap to fifth placed Team Brunel and Team SCA in sixth, who were 38 and 45nm adrift last night.